Acts 21

Acts 21New International Version (NIV)

On to Jerusalem

21 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara.2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail.3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo.4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

7 We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day.8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly.18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come,23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”

26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

Paul Arrested

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

Paul Speaks to the Crowd

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”

“Do you speak Greek?” he replied.38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?”

39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:

Acts 21King James Version (KJV)

21 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Psalm 91

Psalm 91New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save youfrom the fowler’s snareand from the deadly pestilence.4 He will cover you with his feathers,and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.5 You will not fear the terror of night,nor the arrow that flies by day,6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,nor the plague that destroys at midday.7 A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you.8 You will only observe with your eyesand see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling,10 no harm will overtake you,no disaster will come near your tent.11 For he will command his angels concerning youto guard you in all your ways;12 they will lift you up in their hands,so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble,I will deliver him and honor him.16 With long life I will satisfy himand show him my salvation.”

Job 12-14

Job 12-14New International Version (NIV)

Job

12 Then Job replied:

2 “Doubtless you are the only people who matter,and wisdom will die with you!3 But I have a mind as well as you;I am not inferior to you.Who does not know all these things?

4 “I have become a laughingstock to my friends,though I called on God and he answered—a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!5 Those who are at ease have contempt for misfortuneas the fate of those whose feet are slipping.6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,and those who provoke God are secure—those God has in his hand.[a]

7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,or let the fish in the sea inform you.9 Which of all these does not knowthat the hand of the Lord has done this?10 In his hand is the life of every creatureand the breath of all mankind.11 Does not the ear test wordsas the tongue tastes food?12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?Does not long life bring understanding?

13 “To God belong wisdom and power;counsel and understanding are his.14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;those he imprisons cannot be released.15 If he holds back the waters, there is drought;if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.16 To him belong strength and insight;both deceived and deceiver are his.17 He leads rulers away strippedand makes fools of judges.18 He takes off the shackles put on by kingsand ties a loincloth[b] around their waist.19 He leads priests away strippedand overthrows officials long established.20 He silences the lips of trusted advisersand takes away the discernment of elders.21 He pours contempt on noblesand disarms the mighty.22 He reveals the deep things of darknessand brings utter darkness into the light.23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;he enlarges nations, and disperses them.24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;he makes them wander in a trackless waste.25 They grope in darkness with no light;he makes them stagger like drunkards.

13 “My eyes have seen all this,my ears have heard and understood it.2 What you know, I also know;I am not inferior to you.3 But I desire to speak to the Almightyand to argue my case with God.4 You, however, smear me with lies;you are worthless physicians, all of you!5 If only you would be altogether silent!For you, that would be wisdom.6 Hear now my argument;listen to the pleas of my lips.7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?Will you speak deceitfully for him?8 Will you show him partiality?Will you argue the case for God?9 Would it turn out well if he examined you?Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?10 He would surely call you to accountif you secretly showed partiality.11 Would not his splendor terrify you?Would not the dread of him fall on you?12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 “Keep silent and let me speak;then let come to me what may.14 Why do I put myself in jeopardyand take my life in my hands?15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;I will surely[c] defend my ways to his face.16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,for no godless person would dare come before him!17 Listen carefully to what I say;let my words ring in your ears.18 Now that I have prepared my case,I know I will be vindicated.19 Can anyone bring charges against me?If so, I will be silent and die.

20 “Only grant me these two things, God,and then I will not hide from you:21 Withdraw your hand far from me,and stop frightening me with your terrors.22 Then summon me and I will answer,or let me speak, and you reply to me.23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?Show me my offense and my sin.24 Why do you hide your faceand consider me your enemy?25 Will you torment a windblown leaf?Will you chase after dry chaff?26 For you write down bitter things against meand make me reap the sins of my youth.27 You fasten my feet in shackles;you keep close watch on all my pathsby putting marks on the soles of my feet.

14 “Mortals, born of woman,are of few days and full of trouble.2 They spring up like flowers and wither away;like fleeting shadows, they do not endure.3 Do you fix your eye on them?Will you bring them[d] before you for judgment?4 Who can bring what is pure from the impure?No one!5 A person’s days are determined;you have decreed the number of his monthsand have set limits he cannot exceed.6 So look away from him and let him alone,till he has put in his time like a hired laborer.

7 “At least there is hope for a tree:If it is cut down, it will sprout again,and its new shoots will not fail.8 Its roots may grow old in the groundand its stump die in the soil,9 yet at the scent of water it will budand put forth shoots like a plant.10 But a man dies and is laid low;he breathes his last and is no more.11 As the water of a lake dries upor a riverbed becomes parched and dry,12 so he lies down and does not rise;till the heavens are no more, people will not awakeor be roused from their sleep.

13 “If only you would hide me in the graveand conceal me till your anger has passed!If only you would set me a timeand then remember me!14 If someone dies, will they live again?All the days of my hard serviceI will wait for my renewal[e] to come.15 You will call and I will answer you;you will long for the creature your hands have made.16 Surely then you will count my stepsbut not keep track of my sin.17 My offenses will be sealed up in a bag;you will cover over my sin.

18 “But as a mountain erodes and crumblesand as a rock is moved from its place,19 as water wears away stonesand torrents wash away the soil,so you destroy a person’s hope.20 You overpower them once for all, and they are gone;you change their countenance and send them away.21 If their children are honored, they do not know it;if their offspring are brought low, they do not see it.22 They feel but the pain of their own bodiesand mourn only for themselves.”

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